7 Colorado Springs Hiking Spots the Locals Love

When most people think about hiking in Colorado Springs, Garden of the Gods, Seven Falls and the Manitou Incline immediately come to mind.

And yes, they’re beautiful. But if you live here, you quickly learn there’s a whole other side of hiking in Colorado Springs.

Some of my favorite trails are tucked into neighborhood open spaces, hidden in the foothills, or sitting just far enough away from the tourist areas that visitors often drive right past them.

So if you want to hike Colorado Springs like a local, skip the obvious spots for a day and try a few of these instead.

1. Ute Valley Park

Ute Valley Park
⁠Web
Address: 1705 Vindicator Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80919, United States
Phone: +1 719-385-5940

📍 1705 Vindicator Drive, Colorado Springs

Ute Valley is one of those places that makes you appreciate living in Colorado Springs. You can be running errands one minute and surrounded by rocky ridges, pine trees and foothills the next.

The park has an extensive network of trails ranging from beginner-friendly routes to more challenging terrain. It’s particularly known for its rocky, forested hogback formations and interesting geology. (⁠City of Colorado Springs)

Why locals love it: You don’t have to commit your entire day to hiking. It’s perfect for an after-work hike, morning trail run or a couple of hours outside on the weekend.

Local tip: There are a lot of intersecting trails, so this is a great place to create your own route depending on how far you feel like hiking. Keep an eye out for mountain bikers, too.

2. Blodgett Open Space

Blodgett Open Space
⁠Web
Address: 3786 Woodmen Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80919, United States
Phone: +1 719-385-5940

📍 Northwest Colorado Springs near Woodmen Road and Blodgett Ranch Trail

If you want something that feels considerably farther from civilization than it actually is, Blodgett is one of my picks.

This 384-acre open space sits right against Pike National Forest and offers gorgeous views across Colorado Springs as well as toward Blodgett Peak. You’ll find ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, scrub oak and plenty of wildlife habitat. (⁠City of Colorado Springs)

Why locals love it: Blodgett has a more rugged, foothills feel than many of the city’s better-known parks. It’s especially beautiful when you want a quieter hike without driving an hour into the mountains.

One route to check out is Hummingbird Trail, which provides access toward Pike National Forest.

Important local tip: Don’t confuse hiking Blodgett Open Space with attempting to summit Blodgett Peak. The City warns that there are no designated trails beyond the end of Hummingbird Trail toward the summit, where route-finding can become difficult and dangerous. Stick to designated trails unless you have the appropriate backcountry experience. (⁠City of Colorado Springs)

3. Palmer Park

Palmer Park
⁠Web
Address: 3344-3376 Paseo Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80909, United States
Phone: +1 719-385-5940

📍 3344–3376 Paseo Road, Colorado Springs

Here’s one that surprises people who are new to Colorado Springs.

Palmer Park is practically sitting in the middle of town, yet once you’re up on the trails, parts of it feel nothing like a city park.

Think sandstone formations, scrub oak, rocky trails and fantastic views of Pikes Peak and the Front Range.

Why locals love it: Convenience. You can get a legitimate Colorado hike without ever leaving the middle of Colorado Springs.

Rather than just driving to the overlooks, park the car and explore the trail network. There are plenty of opportunities to put together shorter or longer routes.

Best for: A quick hike, sunset views, dog walking, trail running and those days when you want mountain scenery without making a long drive.

4. Stratton Open Space

Stratton Open Space
⁠Web
Address: 1504 Ridgeway Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80906, United States
Phone: +1 719-385-5940

📍 1504 Ridgeway Avenue, Colorado Springs

Stratton doesn’t always get the attention that neighboring North Cheyenne Cañon receives, which is exactly why it belongs on this list.

The open space covers 318 acres and includes five different ecosystems, miles of trails and access toward Pike National Forest. (⁠City of Colorado Springs)

You’ll find trails such as Upper Meadows Loop, Wildflower Path, Ponderosa and Stratton Springs Path, which makes it easy to combine trails and create your own hike. Most trails within the open space are considered easy to moderate. (⁠FlyCOS)

Why locals love it: It feels peaceful and wooded while still being incredibly close to town.

This is also one I’d recommend to someone who just moved to Colorado Springs and isn’t quite ready to tackle a major mountain hike.

5. Mt Cutler and Muscoco Trailhead — Take the Mt. Muscoco Route

Mt Cutler and Muscoco Trailhead
⁠Web
Address: N Cheyenne Canyon Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80906, United States
Phone: +1 719-385-6086

📍 North Cheyenne Cañon Road

Plenty of people know about Mt. Cutler, but if you want more of a workout, continue toward Mt. Muscoco.

This is where you start getting that wonderful combination of pine forest, elevation and big Colorado views without committing to an all-day backcountry adventure.

Why locals love it: It’s one of those hikes where the effort-to-view ratio is pretty hard to beat.

You get a genuine summit experience surprisingly close to Colorado Springs, and the higher you climb, the better the views get.

Best for: Someone who wants more than a casual nature walk but isn’t looking for a 14er-level adventure.

And bring water—the elevation and Colorado sunshine have a way of making a hike feel harder than it looked from the parking lot.

6. St Mary’s Falls

St Mary’s Falls
Address: Colorado Springs, CO 80906, United States

📍 Accessed from Upper Gold Camp Road

Want a waterfall without heading to Seven Falls?

This is one to put on your list.

St. Mary’s Falls combines forest, mountain scenery and a waterfall with enough climbing to make you feel like you actually earned the destination.

The trail is accessed from the upper portion of North Cheyenne Cañon via Upper Gold Camp Road. (⁠City of Colorado Springs)

Why locals love it: It feels like you’re getting much deeper into the mountains than you really are.

The final portion gets steeper, so don’t underestimate it just because you’re still close to Colorado Springs.

This is a great option when friends come to visit and you want to show them something beyond the attractions they’ll find on every “Top 10 Things to Do in Colorado Springs” list.

7. Section 16 / Palmer Trail Loop

📍 Gold Camp Road area

If you’ve spent enough time around Colorado Springs hikers, eventually someone is going to mention Section 16.

This is much more representative of the kind of trail locals hit when they actually want to get a workout.

The City includes the Section 16/Palmer Trail Loop among Colorado Springs’ official park and open-space trail options. (⁠City of Colorado Springs)

Expect more climbing, rocky terrain, forested sections and beautiful views as you make your way around the loop.

Why locals love it: It feels like a real foothills hike rather than a tourist attraction.

It’s the kind of trail you do on a Saturday morning when you want to get your heart rate up, spend a few hours outside and still be back in town in time for lunch.

The Best Part About Hiking in Colorado Springs? It’s Part of Everyday Life.

One of my favorite things about living in Colorado Springs is that you don’t have to plan an entire weekend around getting outside.

You can finish work, throw on your hiking shoes and be on a trail surrounded by pine trees and mountain views surprisingly quickly.

That’s something you don’t fully appreciate until you live here.

And while visitors tend to head straight for Garden of the Gods, Seven Falls and the Incline, locals know there are incredible trails tucked all over Colorado Springs.

Ute Valley. Blodgett. Stratton. Palmer Park. Section 16.

These are the places that make Colorado Springs feel like Colorado Springs.

And they’re also a big reason so many people fall in love with living here.

Thinking About Moving to Colorado Springs?

I’m Shannon Price, a Colorado Springs Realtor, and when I’m not helping buyers find homes, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll find me somewhere on a trail.

If you’re considering moving to Colorado Springs, I’d love to help you figure out not only which home fits you—but which part of Colorado Springs fits the way you actually want to live.

Whether you want to live close to hiking trails, have easy access to the mountains, shorten your commute, or find a neighborhood where you can walk out your front door and be outside in minutes, those lifestyle details matter.

Thinking about buying a home or relocating to Colorado Springs? Reach out and let’s talk Colorado Springs real estate, neighborhoods—and maybe a few more hiking spots I didn’t put on this list.